Enhanced thermal transfer nozzle and system
Some embodiments include an x-ray system, comprising: a structure having a hole having an axially extending wall; and a nozzle disposed in the hole; wherein the nozzle and the axially extending wall form a plurality of axially extending helical fluid channels. Some embodiments include an x-ray system formed by shaping tubing to form a plurality of axially extending helical flutes; and forming a plurality of axially extending helical fluid channels by inserting the shaped tubing into a hole in a structure.
1. An x-ray system, comprising:
a structure having a hole having an axially extending wall; and
a nozzle disposed in the hole, comprising:
a cylindrical center portion; and
a plurality of flutes extending radially outward from the cylindrical center portion;
wherein:
the nozzle and the axially extending wall form a plurality of axially extending helical fluid channels; and
the flutes comprise an opening extending radially outward from and contiguous with a hollow portion of the cylindrical center portion.
2. The x-ray system of claim 1 , wherein:
the cylindrical center portion is hollow;
the hole includes a closed end; and
the cylindrical center portion is offset from the closed end.
3. The x-ray system of claim 2 , wherein the flutes are offset from the closed end.
4. The x-ray system of claim 1 , wherein a wall thickness of the cylindrical center portion is substantially the same as a wall thickness of the flutes.
5. The x-ray system of claim 1 , wherein the flutes contact the axially extending wall.
6. The x-ray system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a width of the axially extending helical fluid channels to a width of the flutes is greater than one.
7. The x-ray system of claim 1 , wherein a width of at least one of the axially extending helical fluid channels varies along a length of the nozzle.
8. The x-ray system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a nozzle adapter including a first opening and at least one second opening;
wherein:
the nozzle adapter seals an end of the hole;
the nozzle is disposed in the first opening; and
the nozzle and the at least one second opening form a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet.
9. The x-ray system of claim 1 , wherein:
the structure is at least a portion of a support structure of a hydrodynamic bearing;
the x-ray system further comprises:
an anode mounted on the hydrodynamic bearing; and
a cathode configured to emit electrons towards the anode.
10. The x-ray system of claim 9 , further comprising a liquid metal disposed in the hydrodynamic bearing.
11. An x-ray system formed by a process comprising:
providing tubing;
shaping the tubing to form a plurality of axially extending helical flutes, comprising passing the tubing through a die rotating relative to the tubing around a major axis of the tubing;
providing a structure of the x-ray system including a hole; and
forming a plurality of axially extending helical fluid channels by inserting the shaped tubing into the hole in the structure of the x-ray system.
12. The x-ray system of claim 11 , wherein the hole is a blind hole.
13. The x-ray system of claim 11 , wherein the structure is at least part of a hydrodynamic bearing of the x-ray system.
14. The x-ray system of claim 11 , further comprising:
attaching a nozzle adapter to the shaped tubing.
15. An x-ray system, comprising:
means for receiving a cooling fluid;
means for supporting a portion of a bearing assembly; and
means for dividing the cooling fluid into a plurality of axially extending helical streams within the means for supporting the portion of the bearing assembly, comprising:
a cylindrical center portion; and
a plurality of flutes extending radially outward from the cylindrical center portion;
wherein the flutes comprise an opening extending radially outward from and contiguous with a hollow portion of the cylindrical center portion.
16. The x-ray system of claim 15 , wherein the means for supporting the portion of the bearing assembly comprise means for supporting a hydrodynamic bearing.